212 Bees: A Year's Work in the Hive. [Sess. 



make them any thickness, from 1 inch to 2 or even 3 

 inches. 



Now if all goes well, and the weather is fine, our swarm 

 will have filled the hive with comb in from three to five weeks, 

 and will have added from 12,000 to 14,000 bees to their 

 numbers, and used from 50 to 60 lb. of honey during the time. 



I only know of four varieties of bees that are kept for 

 collecting honey — viz., (1) the Ligurian or Italian bee, which 

 differs from the common bee in having three bright orange- 

 coloured bands across the abdomen ; (2) the Carniolian or 

 Austrian bee, which is covered with short white hairs, giving 

 it a mealy appearance ; (3) the common British or brown 

 bee. Pure bees of either of the above varieties are very quiet, 

 and are easily handled, but crosses of any two are the best 

 breeders and workers, though very much given to stinging. 

 Then there is (4) the Cyprian bee, somewhat of the same 

 colour as the Ligurian, perhaps a little brighter, but seldom 

 kept in this country, as they are such wicked stinging bees 

 that one is scarcely safe to go within sight of the hive. 



Now, shortly, I shall tell you something about the year's 

 work, as carried on month by month in the hive. 



January. — If the swarm is strong and the weather not too cold, the bees 

 will show some life now, and very likely the queen may deposit some eggs 

 in the centre of the hive. The hive must now be kept warm. 



February. — If the weather is at all mild with some sunshine, the bees 

 will now take a flight during the middle of the day, and breeding will be 

 going on. 



March. — In fine weather the bees will be very busy now ; young bees 

 will be getting on the wing, and gathering pollen from the early flowers. 



April. — If all has gone on well, the swarm will now be getting strong — 

 i.e., have increased in numbers ; and if there is any water about, they may 

 be noticed carrying in quantities of it, which they use along with honey 

 and pollen for feeding the larvae or young bees. Towards the end of the 

 month a few drones may be seen on bright days. 



May. — This is one of the busiest months for the bees. Drones will now 

 be more numerous, showing that one of the prettiest and most remarkable 

 sights connected with bees will very soon take place — viz., swarming. 

 This is one of the most wonderful arrangements of nature for the increase 

 of the species. Where all the older bees leave the hive, accompanied by 

 the old queen, to seek a new home, all they take with them is as much 

 honey as each can carry ; and it is a sight well worth going some distance 

 to witness, when the bees come out of the hive. From 30,000 to 40,000 

 bees are all quitting the hive, leaving it empty in about three or four 



